Index or display device



l 1. HpaAND, JR. INDEX 0R DISPLAY DEVICEl APPLICATION FILED JAN|5| 1920.

1,435,081.- PatentedNov. 7,1922;

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.'

A T m mvg v.

J. H. RAND, Jn. INDEX 0R DISPLAY DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.5, 1920.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ANDREWS V d, MATTHEWS TO MORRIS I. H. RAND, JR.

INDEX 0R DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED mm. |920.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922?.

5 SHEETS-SEEE] 3.

1. H. RAND, 1R. INDEX 0R`DISPLAY DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED IAN.5, |920.

mn DI 4 Trek/vf K5,

l. H. RAND,1H.

INDEX 0R DISPLAY DEVICE. APrucATloN min 1AN.5, 1920.

L435081 Patented Nov. 7, 1922.A

/r l 5 tSHEE4Ts-sHEE1 5.

/i rra/mins.

NDES 01??, BISPLLY DEVICE.

.fipplcaton filed January 5, 1920. Serial No. 349,604.

To (4Z-Z fiom t may concer/i s it known that l, JAMES l-l. RAND, Jr., a.'Jia/en og'f'tlie nitedtjtates, residiingv at Tena' al la. in the countyoi lilrie and State 5 'i York7 have inventefil anew and usei roven'ientin ndex or Displayl Defhich the following is a specificaifhis inventionrelates to index or dis-v plsv devices oi tie hind Comprising a. plui'vf f l holders for the cards' or z to played. which are movable l olf .iselective device-into posit, to r' nder any desired leal aessible. l5 oithe invention are to provide hind with inechanisin tor operator torapidly turn to the de fired leaf; to provide a device of this hind withmotor voperated means for turning' the leaves or hold to the desiredpositions;

axes on a rota-table stand or support causes the leaves to niove bygravity ace 'l le positionne-lso to provide whereby each key orcontrolling' device. when actuated causes the stand to be rotated by theoperating` vmotor and causes the rotation 'lo cease when the desiredleaf or holder is in an accessible position; also to improve theconstruction oi' devices or" 'this kind in other respects hereinafterspeciiiied.

ieilv stated. the apparatus which is shown in. be drawings as emboCviner the ina stand or support on z v plurality ot .leaves or holdersfor .f er articles .are mounted and bringany of the leaves ole posit'in. the movement of t" oted by means the si port `lor the leaves orholders 'of the device.

3 is a trani itaiv side elevation on en enlar ed scale. show]ne"` somema ves removed to showthe rota-table Fig; l is fragmentary sectionalelevation th reo'lon an enlarged scale, on line y'. showing theretaining means "or the upper portions of the leaves.

5 is a longitudinal central sectional elevation-oit the controllingmeans for the leat selecting mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, on line 6 67 Fig. 5,showing;i the switch `for controlling' the operation of the motor forrotating the leal support.

F i is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof on line '-7, Figi'. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional plan 'View thereof on line 8 8. Fig.

9 .is a 'fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation thereof, similarto Fig. showing.;` the parts in different positions.

y Fig. l0 is a.r fragmentary sectional elevation on line l0-.10, Figi.l9.

lltis a plan view, partly in section, of the controlling means for theleaf selecting mechanism.

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof showing two of theselectingF keys and the parts connected therewith.

Figi'. i3 is a view similar to Fig. 12. showing' the parts in diflerentpositions.

represents the leaves or holders on which the cards or other articles(not shown), are held, and which in the construetion shown aresubstantially rectangular in shape and are suitably mounted on a supportB which is movable to bring one or another of the leaves into thedesired position. yThe leaves shown in the drawings are provided withupper and lower pivots or pintles f.' u. which enter holes arranged inupper and lowerplates or disks?) 7) forminga part ot the stand orsupport B. The upper and lower plates 7) Zi" are preferably securedtogether by means of connecting or spacing rods h2 having; threaded endsextendingT 'through holes in the upper and lower plates and holding theplates in adjusted relation to each other by means of nuts 3. The lowerpivots or pintles a. are made comparatively short and the upper pivotsci are longer. the f listance between the upper and lower plates obeine; such that any leaf or holder A caribe removed from the support Bby raising' the leal` to disengage the lower pivot a from'the plate Z9.ln order to prevent the accidental removal of the holders A troni thesupportwB. means are preferablyv provided for normallypinventingy theraisingI oi the leaves to disengage the lower pivots u thereof 'trom thelower plate b.

ln the construction shown for this purpose,

a. leaf-securing' disk or plate b" is provided 5 which is adapted toengage the upper ends o1" the pivots .fr 'lo prevent the raising of theloaves This plate is held in fixed relation to the upl er pl ate Y bymeans of a stud or knobl lf having a threaded portion b engaging athreaded hole in the leaf-securing plate ot the leali-securing platebeing turned about the stud or knob 7) to enable the plate to be 'aisedwhen the leaves are to be removed or to be placed in the lower positionshown in .ll and l against a washer or stop b? when inleal"-retainingposition. The knob or stud b5 may be secured on the upperplate ZJ in any suitable means, for example by a nut 71S engaging areduced thread portion o on the stud and clamping the stud on the plateZ). rlhe leait-securinl plate can be locked in its lower position by anysuitable meansto prevent the unauthorized removal of the leaves. Anyother means ttor pivotally mountingthe leaves or card holders A. in thesupport B may be employed.

"llhe leaf-supporting' member B may be movably mounted in any suitablemanner to bring` one or another of the leaves into an accessibleposition, as at the front oi' the device. In the construction shown forthis purpose the support B rotatably mounted in a base C which isprovided with an upright rod or part n about which the support B isadapted to rotate and which is preferably arranged at a slightinclination :trom the vertical. The support B is provided with a sleeveD which is suitably secured thereto and which forms a bearing for theinclined shaft c and a ball bearing l is preferably arranged at thelower end of the leaf support B. The upper end of the sleeve D isconnected with the support B by means of a plate d havingholes throughwhich the rods X12 extend. ldy arranging' the upright rod or shaft o atan angle to the perpendicular. the leaves or card holders will tend toswing` by gravity on their pivots into positions shown in Figs. l and Q.Ar spring iin- ;gjer or deten t cis preterably provided which holds theleaves back until they have moved out `oi engagement `with the detent,alter which they swing; by gravity about their pivots, roving` to theinclination of the ol the leat support. A movable leaf support of anyother construction may be employed.

)my suitable means may be employed for rotating` the revolvingsupport soas to bring` the desired leaves into a position to be accessible fromthe 'Front of the device. For this purpose a motor l is provided whichmay be arranged in any suitable part of the device, beingd in theconstruction shown arranged within the leaf-supporting` member b3 B. Themotor is mountedon a base e se cured to the upper end of the inclinedrod or shaft o and the shaft e oit the motor is provided with a worin e2adapted to drive a Worm gear e3 mounted on an upright shaft suitably'journaled in the base e ot' the motor and having a pinion e thereonwhich is adapted to mesh with a gear e5 secured on the plate or disk dot' the lear" support B.

The motor E is started and stopped by means of a suitable controllingdevice l?, which together with thebase C of the leafsupporting' member Bis mounted on a base C or table and. suitably connected with therotating` stand or support so that the rotation ot' the stand or supportis communicated to the controlling device. ln the construction shown forthis purpose, the lower plate b oi1 the rotating support is providedwith a bevel gear 7 secured thereto and adapted to engage a bevel gear jmounted on a shatt- 'g suitably journaled in a bearing f3 mounted on'the base C. The shaft f2 is connected by means of a universal joint 7'*with a shaft f5 connecting with the controlling; device.

The controlling or selective device F shown in the drawings is adaptedto start the operation ot the motor and to cause 'the motor` to stopwhen the leaf support B has been brought into the desired position. lnthe construction shown for this purpose the selective device includes akeyboard g having a plurality of keys G corresponding in number to thenumber of positions in which. the revolving stand is to be stopped.These keys. in the Vconstruction shown1 are slidably arranged in thekeyboard g, and the inner ends thereof are adapted to slidably engagewith a guide plate g. the keyboard and guide plate being' suitablymounted in a housing g2 enclosing the parts of the controlling device F.

y represents indicating` plates or cards arranged on the keyboard andeach of which is arranged in proximity to the keys to indicate the leafor leaves which will be brought into the open or accessible position bythe actuation of the corresponding key. The mea-ns for starting theoperation of the motor by depressing a key are preferably constructed asfollowszw The keys are arranged in rows extending .transversely voit thecontrolling device, and

for each row of' lreys a plate H is provided which is pivoted on a rod71l secured on the guide plate g the plate H being so 'arrangedrelatively to a row ot lreys that any ley ot' the row may engage theplate H. and cause the plate to s Fingabout thev axis of the rod 7L.Each of the plates H is provided with an arm 71, straddling aswitch-actuating rod l which is slidably arranged in brackets c'extending upwardly from a bottom plate of the housing ot thecont-rolling device. Each oi?. the arms It is adapted to engage a llt 1frenos :1

collar or projection 'i2 on the switch-actuating rod so that when any ofthe plates lf is swung about its pivot by means of a. key, thecorresponding arm z. will engage its collar 2'2 and move the rod 1 in adirection to cause the actuation of the motor E. Thismovement of the rodI is opposed by any suitable means, such as a spring engaging a sleeve2- on the rod l and one of the brackets a'.

The rod lis provided with a switch K of any suitable constructionadapted to close an electric. circuit connecting the motor E with a.suitable source of `power for causing -the rotation of theleaf-supporting stand when any of the keys G of the controlling deviceis depressed and to open the circuit when the key is released.

This switch K may be of any suitable or desired construction, that shownincluding acontact disk or plate ,t mounted on and insulated from therod I, and adapted to connect two spring contacts 7.5l and a disk 71:2,preferably inade of carbon. which is adapted to engage with two carbonterminals 723, the disk or uplate preferably engaging with the springcontacts after the carbon n'iembers are placed into engagement for thepurpose of avoiding arcing between the spring contacts. Any othersuitable switchmay be employed for making` and breaking the motorcircuit.y

Means are preferably provided for holding the keys G in their depressedposition and the switch closed until the leaf-supporting stand is in thedesired position and for automatically releasing t-he key and openingthe switch when the stand reaches this position. These means' preferablyinclude dogs or latches L, one for each key, pivoted -on rods Lvwhichare mounted in luos or parts Z arranged on the guide plate g" the dogsbeing provided with notches Z adapt-` ed to engage shoulders orparts Z2on the lower ends of the keys. Each latch L is adapted to be moved intoits key-engaging position, as shown in Fig. 13, by means of a spring Z3,and when in this position will hold thc lkeyV in its lower or switchclosing position against the action 'of a spring Z which returns the keyto its normal or up per position when released from the latch L.

l to be opened when the revolving supportis in the desired position.This is accom` plished in the construction shown by means of a pluralityof trip arms M which are adapted to engage the dogs L to move Athe sameout of holding engagement with the keys7 one of these arms beingprovidedfor cach key. The. trip arms M are preferably mounted on shafts msuitably journaled in the' housing g2 and the movement ofthe-leaf-supporting member In the construction shown` the rota` tion ofthe leaf supporting stand ist-ransllhe keys are released to permit theswitch.

adapted to be rotated byv c nstruction shown are provided with cranks apivoted to a connecting rod n2 so that all the shafts will rotatetogether. The described connection between the shafts m is preferredbecause it eliminates practically all lost motion between the shafts.Each latch tripping arm M is so positioned relatively to its shaft m asto cause the releasing of its key at the instant that the -leaf supportreaches the position controlled by the corresponding key. Any othermeans may be employed for causing' the keys to return to their upper orswitch opening positions.

In the operation of the machine, the depression of any key causes thekey to enthe underlying plate H and to swing the plate on its pivot 7bthereby causing the arm 7l. to move the switch-actuating rod l to closethe switch K. When the key is de,- pressed the spring Z3 moves the dog Linto a position to engage the shoulder or part Z2 of the key andhold thekey in its depressed position, thus holding the'switch K closed. Thiscompletes the circuit through the motor E and causes the motor to movethe leaf support to bring the leaves one after another to the front ofthe leaf support or into a position in which the leaves are exposed oraccessible. The rotation of the leaf support istra-nsmitted through thebevel gears ,t f', shafts f2 f5 and n and the bevel gears n3 n4, causingthe rotation of all of the shafts mf. Vhen the V leaf A corresponding tothe key depressed comes to the intended position, the latch tripping armlll corresponding to the key which ,has been depressed will move the'latch L out of its holding position and permit the spring Z4 to returnthe key to its normal or upper position and pen mit the spring s to movethe rod l into the switch-opening position, thus stopping the motor Eand returning` the plate to its normal position. Owing to the pivotalarrangement .'of the'leaves on the inclined ases, the leaves Awill swingon their pivots by gravity and vthe point at which the leaves will swingis preferably arranged at the front of thedevice, so that the desiredleaf will automatically swing into the accessible position when theapparatus is stopped at a predetermined point corresponding` to theleaf. desired.

.r By' ir-.e'ans of the device. described the leaf ifi-sassi 14. In anindex or display device, thetcombination of a rotatable, rigid support,aplurality of leaves pivotally mounted .On-said support, a motor'forrotating said support to bring` said leaves one. at a time into anoperative position, a keyboard comprising a plurality or' keys each ofwhich is adapted to be moved into a position to sta-rt the operation ofsaid motor, and meansoperated by the rota-tion loi saidsupport forreturning the key to its original position When the leaf correspondingto said key is in operative position.

15. ln an index or display device, the combination or' a 4movable `rigidsupport, a plurality of leaves pivoted on said support, means arrangedin the path of movement of said leaves to separate vvadjacent `leaves torender the same accessible, and means for stopping the movement of saidsupport when the desired leaf is accessible.

16. ln an index or display device, thecombination-of a support adapted`to be rotated on an inclined axis, a plurality ot' leaves pivoted onsaid support and adapted to separate by gravity at'one point or' theirpath of movement, and selective means for stop-ping the movement of saidsupport when theV desired leaf has reachedsaid point.

17 In an index or display device, the'combinationtoi' a movable support,a. plurality of leaves mounted on said support, a motor arranged Withinsaid support :tor actuating the same to bring said leaves .one at a timeinto an operative position,-and means for controlling the operation `ofsaid motor to stop the movement of said support when the desired learlis in operative position.v

18. In an index or display device, thecombination of a `horizontallymovableisu-pport, a plurality of leaves pivoted on said support, meansfor moving said support Ito bring the desired leaf into an accessibleposition, and means for causing the .leaves to' swingen their pivots toexpose-the desired lea-itl..

19. in an index or display` device,1the combination of a plurality ofpivotally connected leaves adapted to `move in a path arranged at aninclination to thehorizontah means for cansino said leaves to move insaid patin-said leaves when reaching a partei-said path being caused toswing., about theirfpivots to expose yone or another` of said leaves,and selective means for stopping` the movement yof said leaves When thedesired leatv is in exposed position.

20. ln an index or .display device,.the combination of a plurality of:pivotally connected leaves adapted to move, in a path arranged at aninclination tol the horizontal.y means for causing said leaves togmovein said path, said leaves when reaching apart of said path being causedto swing by gravity about their pivots to expose one or another olf saidleaves, and keyboard controlled meansfor causing the leaves to stop whenthe desired leaf is exposed.

21. In'an index or display device, the combination otf a `plurality oitpivotally connected horizontally movable leaves, a motor .tor movingsaid leaves to bring the same one at a. time into an accessibleposition, means for swinging saidleaves on their pivots to expose theleaves when in said accessible position, and keyboard controlling meansfor stopping the operation oit said motor when the desired leaf isinsaid accessible position.

22. In an index or display device, the combinationoi a plurality oileaves, a` supporting member for said leaves including upper and loiverparts in which said leaves are pivotally mounted and a motor arrangedbetween said upper and lower parts lor rotating said support.

23. The combination with an index or display device having a pluralityof horizontally movable leaves adapted to be moved one at a time into anaccessible position, a motor for moving said leaves, a keyboard forcontrolling the operation ol said motor, said vkeyboard including aplurality of keys, means actuated by any of said keys ttor starting theoperation of said motor, and means for returning the-key to its initialposition to stop the operation of said motor when the desired leaf is inVthe accessible position.

2d. The combination with an index or display device yhiwing a pluralityof leaves adapted to be moved one ata time into yan accessible position,a motor for moving said leaves, a keyboard for controlling theoperationof said meten-.saidkeyboard including a plurality oft' keys, a switchadapted to be closed to `cause the operation 01"' the `motor when any ofsaid` keys is actuated, and means controlled lby ythe movement ot' themeans to open saidsivitches and return ythe key to its. initial positionWhen the desired leafis in the accessible-position.

25. The combination with an index or display devi e having` a luralityoi leaves adapted to be moved one at a time into an accessible`|riosition, a motor for n'ioving said leaves, a keyboard forcontrolling the operationol: said motor, .iid keyboard including a.plurality of keys, a switch adapted to be closed when any ot' said keysis actuated to cause the operation of the motor, a latch for holding thekey in depressed position7 and means` operated by the movement of saidleaves to release said key for openingpsaid switch and permitting thekey to return to its initialposition.

26. The combination with an index ordisplay device having` a pluralityof movable leaves, oi a. motor for moving said leaves, a controllingdevice for said motor including a plurality of keys, a switch forcontrolling the operation of said mot-or, mechanism connecting said keysand said switchior closing saidswitch when any of said keys are aetuated, means for releasably holding said keys in the switch closing`positions, and means actuated by the movement of said leaves forreleasing` said keys to open said switch.

27. The combination with an indeX or display device having a pluralityot movable leaves, of a motor for moving said leaves, a controllingdevice for said motor includinga plurality ot' keys, a switch torcontrolling the operation of said motor, mechanism connecting said keysand said switch ior closing` said switch when any or said keys are actuated, means for releasably holding said keys in the switch closingpositions, and releasing devices for each oi? said keys which areoperated by the movement oil? said leaves and which releases a key whenthe leaf corresponding thereto is in the desired position.

28. The combination with an index or display device having a pluralityof movable leaves, of a motor for moving said leaves, a controllingdevice for said motor including, a plurality of keys, a switch forcontrolling` the operation of said motor, mechanism connecting said keysand said switch 'for closing said switch when any of said keys areactuated, a latch for each key -for holding the same in switch closingposition, and a latch releasing member for each key, said member beingactuated by the movement of the leaves and causing the latch to releasethe key when the lea-f corresponding to said key is in operativeposition.

29. The combination with an index or display device having a pluralityoit leaves adapted to be moved one at a time into an accessibleposition, of a motor 'lor moving said leaves, a keyboard ltorcontrolling the operation of said motor, said keyboard including aplurality of keys, movable means controlled by any of said keys forstarting said motor, whereby when one oit said keys is depressed saidmotor will be started to move the leaves, independent means for lockingsaid keys in depressed position, and means operated by movement of saidleaves 'for actuating said locking` means to release said keys when theleaves have been moved to a predetermined position by said motor.

30. The combination with an index or display device having-a movablerigid support with a plurality of leaves mounted thereon, whereby whensaid support is moved the leaves will be placed one at a time into anaccessible position, of a. motor for moving said support, a keyboard forcontrolling the operation of said motor, said keyboard including aplurality ot keys, movable means controlled by any of said keys 'forstarting said motor, whereby when one of said keys is depressed saidmotor will be started to move said support, means for automaticallylocking said keys in their depressed positions, and means connected toand operated by movement of said movable support for releasing said keyswhen said leaves have been moved to a predetermined position.

3l. The combination with an index or display device having a movablesupport with a plurality of leaves mounted thereon, whereby when saidvsupport is moved the leaves will be placed one at' a time into anaccessible position, of a motor Jor moving said support, a keyboard forcontrolling` the operation of said motor, said-keyboard including` aplurality of keys, a movable circuit making member adapted to open andclose the circuit to said motor, movable devices operated by said keysfor actuating said circuit making member to close the circuit upondepression of any of said keys, means for automatically locking` saidkeys in depressed position, and means connected to and operated by saidmovable support tor automatically releasing said keys when the leaveshave been moved to a predetermined position.

32. The combination with an index or display device having a movablesupport with a plurality olf leaves -mounted thereon, whereby when Saidsupport is moved' the leaves will be placed one at a time into anaccessible position, of a motor for moving said support, a keyboard :forcontrolling the operation of said motor, said keyboard including aplurality of keys, a movable circuit makingmember adapted to open andclose the circuit to said motor, movable devices operated by said keystor actuating said circuit making member to close the circuit upondepression oi any oit' said keys, means for automatically locking saidkeys in depressed position, and lock-tripping` means and connectionsbetween said lock-tripping means and said movable support, whereby saidlock-tripping means are actuated upon movement of said support, saidloek-trip ping means having parts arranged to contactwith and releasesaid locking means in diterent intervals of time, whereby depression ofdifferent keys oi said keyboard will produce different movements of saidsupport.

33. The combination with an index or display device having' a movablesupport with a plurality of leaves mounted thereon, whereby when Saidsupport is moved the leaves will be placed vone at a time into anaccessible position, of a motor for moving said support, akeyboard forcontrolling the operation of said motor, said keyboard including aplurality ot'keys, a switch for controlling the operation oit saidmotor, means acting` on said switch and constantly tending to open thecircuit to said motor, means acted upon by said keys, whereby actuationof any oi said keys will operate said switch to close said circuit,means for locking said S Il keys iii depressed position, md means operitvelT connected to said suppoilt and driven thereby foi' ieleasiiig saidlocking means when Said movable support line been moved to apredetermined extent.

34. ln im index 01' display device, 'the combination off a movablesuppot, a plural-ity of leaves pivoted on seid support to swing aboutsubstantially vertical axes, driven means for moving said support tobring one or another of said leaves into a piedeteimined position, and:i key-board having seleotive means for controlling Said driven means tomove Said support through predetei'mined distances to position saidleavee.

`Wit11ess my lizmd this 9th de); of December, 1919.

JAMES H. RAND, Je.

llfitnesses E. P. GRAY, M. J. SMITH.

